Bag closing machine



Oct 10. 193.9 R. N. CUNDALL BG CLOSING IACHINE Filed June 29, 1937 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 041. 10,1939. R, N, CUNDALL slm cLosnlG nennen Filed Juhl 29, 1937 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Oct. 10', 1939.

n. N. cuNDALL BAG CLOSING IACHINE Filed June 29, 1957 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Oct. 10, 1939. R. N. CUNDALL BAG CLOSING' MACHINE Filed June 29, 1937 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 IIIIIIIIII I.L||Ill Oct. 10, 1939. R. N. CUNDALL BAG CLOSING IACHINE Filed June 29., 1957 s sheets-sheet 5 Oct, 10, 1939. R. N. cuNDALl. 2,175,557

nlm cLosnm nehme Filed June 29, 1937 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 Oc- 10, 1939- R. N. CUNDALL vmm cLosrnG imams Filed June 29, 1937 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 Oct. 10, 1939. R. N. cUNDALL 4 42,175,557'

BAG CLOSING incarna' Filed June 29, 1937 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 present machine whereby it may be instantly adcontents prior to its ventry into .the machine.y

- short steps; one lstep to place the-bag mouth initial folding mechanism, the second step to satana-.10,1939 2,175,557

UNITED vSTATES PATE v 2,175,557 `AccLosiNc MACHINE Robert N. Cundall, deceased, late of Lackawanna,

N. Y., by Luta L. Cundall, administratrix, Lackawanna, N. Y., assigner to Consolidated Pack--A aging Machinery Corporation, Buffalo, N. Y., a corporation of NewYork f Application June 29, 1937, serial No. 150,907

sz claims. (cl. asf-6) The present invention relates to a machine the machinepermits one operator to manage and and method for closing filled paper bags, par- .control the entire combination, and the small ticularly paper bags adapted to contain from a number of feeding movements tend to minimize few ounces upto twenty-five pounds of maany loosening of vthe bag contents, especially terial. The invention finds particular utility in since provision is made in the machine to 'retain the formation of packages of coffee, tea, flour, whatever degree of compactness which has been cocoa, chemicals and other products which are imparted to the filled bag before its entry into either very finely divided so that the products the machine. tend to escape from the bag, or aromatic and Asecond feature of the present invention is the tend to become stale and rancid if exposed, or fact thatl al1 Operating parts 0f the ClOSuIe formhygroscopic, or deliquescent, vor lotherwise tend ing mehanismare Xed in relative Position t to deteriorate if air and moisture are permitted to contact therewith. A feature of the present invention is 4that packages containing any'such Vproduct may be readily and perfectly formed relgardless of the size of the package or the weight of the product, provision being made in the NT OFFICE zontally adjustable guides so that a wide range of bag sizes may be accommodated merely by adjusting the height of the table and the spacing of the guides, and so that fluctuations in density of the product may be compensated for `by a single vertical adjustment requiring one or two seconds to perform, v

A further feature of the-invention is the provision of bagfeeding mechanism operating to feed the bag one step between each operating performance of the closure forming mechanism, requiring 'about one-fourth, or less, of the rotation of a driving shaft in order that the closure forming operations may be performed in the other three-fourths of the rotation of said shaft and the speed of the machine thereby increased.

-A further feature of the invention is the pro'- vision of adhesive-applying mechanism which not only applies adhesive tothe bags. but aids in the formation of a sharply defined closure whereby leakage is practically eliminated.

An advantage of the present4 invention resides in the compactness of the machine which, therefore, may be placed in almost any existing packing plant, the machine being froml one-third to one-half the size of prior machines for forming a relatively comparable closure. In the present` embodiment of the machine illustrated in the drawings, the largest element is the drying table which is substantially circular andwhich rests upon a standard enclosing a motor and reduction-gearing for driving both the closing and drying mechanism. Other types of dryers may be substituted for the rotary type if desirable, the rotary type being preferred because of its compactness.

A further advantage of the present invention and one which is of utmost importance is the ability of the machine to form uniform and eiiicient closures preventing sifting to a greater degree than any prior known machine.

The present invention is in part an improvement upon the machine disclosed in the copendjusted to accommodate fluctuations in the density of the product or its, degree of compactness within the package. vMany such products are affected by atmospheric conditions, or vary in ,innate characteristics from time to time, 'so that va unit weight will occupy more or less space within a package. ,The present invention is designed not only tobe adjustable to accommodate different weights of products packaged in different sizes of bags, but also to accommodate fluctuations in density-of the compacted product without loss of time in adjustment of the machine.

A feature of the present invention is the compactness of the package forming mechanism, the mechanism whereby the bag mouths are trimmed, creased, folded, provided with adhesive and adhered to the top of the package being condensed practically to a minimum size. In prior machines such mechanism occupied a great number of stations so that a package traveled a long distance through the machine and tended to lose whatever degree of compactness had been imparted to its In the present invention the filled bag is re- `ceived from filling mechanism and may be com-` pacted by hand, but is preferably mechanically compacted before it is presented to the machine. The bag is then fed through the machine in three in juxtaposition with trimming, creasing and place the bag mouth in juxtaposition with gluing, folding and pressing mechanism, and the third step to eject the finished package. Preferably, the nished package is ejected into drying mechl anism which holds the closure under pressure while the adhesive sets. The compactness of a vertically adjustable table provided with horiing application of Robert N. Cundall, Serial No. 20,327, led May 10, 1935. The aforementioned machine, however, includes mechanism for tucking gussets and collapsing the mouth of a bag, whereas in the present machine such mechanism has been eliminated since the capacity of most plants is such as to permit the operator to tuck gussets and collapse the mouth of each bag as it is presented to him by the filling mechanism.

The aforesaid machine also comprises an endless chain conveyor, whereas in the present machine the bags are fed by reciprocating paddles. The general purpose of the present4 machine is the same as in the prior application, but a number of new features are present and a number of old features have been eliminated or simplified.

Referring to the drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, there is disclosed a preferred embodiment of the invention. Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following disclosure.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the left end of the general combination showing the dryer, the driving means and a portion of the support for the closure forming mechanism, and Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the right end of the machine showing the closure forming mechanism, the two views being separated along line A-A;

Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the machine looking at the right end, certain parts being eliminated in order to clarify other parts;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the entire combination;

Fig. 5 is a partial cross-section taken on line 5--5 of Fig. 2;

Fig6 is a rear elevation of the closure forming mechanism, the front of which is shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the one form of gluing and shaping mechanism;

Fig. 8 is a side elevation of the mechanism of Fig. '7;

Fig. 9 is a vertical cross-section taken on line 9--9 of Fig. 2 showing a preferred form of gluing and shaping mechanism together with the final folding and pressing mechanism;

Fig. 10 is a vertical cross-section taken on line Ill- I of Fig. 2 showing the edge trimming, crease forming and initial folding mechanism together with a form of mechanism for removing trimmed edges from the machine;

Fig. 11 is a vertical cross-section taken on line II--II of Fig.9;

Fig. 12 is a vertical cross-section taken on line I2|2 of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12a is a vertical cross-section taken in the plane of the bag mouth;

Fig. 13 is a detailed view of the cam and follower for operating the gluing and shaping mechamsm;

Fig. 14 is a detailed view of the cam and follower for operating the final folding and pressing mechanism;

Fig. 15 is a detailed view of the cams and followers for operating the edge trimming, initial folding mechanism and the anvil of the creasing mechanism;

Fig. 16 is a detailed view `of `the cam and follower for operating the blade of the crease forming mechanism; and

Figs. 17 to 23 inclusive diagrammatically illustrate the formation of a closure by the machine. Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the combination comprises closure forming mechanism C extending from one side of the standard of a dryer D,

which standard houses a motor and reduction gearing for driving both parts of the combination. The standard 30 is provided with a removable plate 3l by means of which access to the interior may be had. A motor 32 provided with a variable-speed pulley 33 is fixed to a support 34 pivotally suspended from a bracket 35 on the standard. A hand wheel 36 rotatably attached to standard 30 is screwed onto a screw which passes through a, boss 31 at one side of the standard and is pivotally attached to the support 34 whereby to swing motor 32 which causes a belt 38 to engage pulley 33 at varying distances from its center whereby the speed of the belt is adjustably controlled. Beltl 38 rotates pulley 39 fixed on the shaft 4D of a reduction gear box 4I. A shaft 42 operated at the proper speed drives both the dryer and closure forming mechanism. The pulleys 33 and 39 preferably comprise a wellknown type of speed adjusting device.

The dryer 46 extending about a sprocket 41 xed to the main drive shaft 48 of the closure forming mechanism. On its return lap chain 46 engages a sprocket 49 fixed to a stub shaft 50 supported in a bearing on standard 30. The end of the shaft extending into the standard carries a bevelled gear 52, while the opposite end is reduced in diameter and forms a support for one end of a rock shaft 53. Gear 55 xed to a vertical shaft 56 (Figs. 1 and 4) meshes with a bevelled gear 52 which, through an eccentric pin, operates a crank arm 51 located above the standard 30. Crank arm 51 carries a pin 60 upon which is pivotally mounted a pawl 6| and the ends of which are embraced by arms 62 extending from a hub supported by a vertical stud 63. Pawl 6l is provided with a'n ear 65 to which is pivotally attached a. lever 66 provided with a bayonet slot 61 through which extends a fixed pin 68. The free end of lever 66 extends to within reach of the operator and is provided with a handle 69. A spring extending from the lever to a xed pin tends to keep the pawl 6| in operative position to engage a tooth of a ratchet 1| at each rotation of shaft 56. The pawl may be thrown out of operative position upon outward movement of lever 66 and held at its inoperative position by properly positioning the lever to lock pin 68 in the bayonet slot 61. Continued rotation of shaft 56 will then have no effect upon ratchet 1I.

Pawl 6I is of considerable height and ratchet 1| is relatively narrow in order that the height of the dryer, which is rotated by the ratchet, may be vertically adjusted to accommodate all heights of bags within the range of the machine. In order to accomplish the adjustment, the dryer comprises the following: A vertical tube (Fig. 1) is `fixed in a socket 16 at the top of standard 3U. The tube 15 does-not rotate and a bell shaped hood 11 is flxedly supported atthe upper end of the tube. A cam 18 is supported by the hub of the hood to remain in fixed position and at a nxed height. A hub 19 is rotatably mounted upon the tube 15 and is fixed at a denite level with respect to cam 18. A disc 8l) carried by hub 19 carries a series of dryer plates 8| which are caused to engage the top of each bag presented' to'the dryer. A rod 85 extends axially of tube 15 and passes through a reducing flange 8E rest- .ing on the top of tube 15. The upper end vof l 2,175,557 rod 86 is threaded and a hand wheel 81, screwedk onto the upper end of the rod, rests on coupling 86 and supports the rod in adjusted position relative to the tube. The lower end of rod 85 is slipped through a guiding collar 90 inside of tube which, together with thelower half 9| of a thrust bearing surrounding tube 15, forms a firm guide for the rod. The lower end of rod 85,- collar 90 and the lower half 9| of the thrust bearing are fixed together by a bolt `||2 passing through vertical slots in tube 15. The upper half 92 of the thrust bearing forms a support for a hub 93 andv an-integral, depending collar 94 to which-is-aflixedrratchetr1|.'Cllar 93 supports the table 95 upon which the bags are supported. The table comprises a vertical flange 96 and 'a horizontal ledge 91. A recessed step 98 is provided at the edge of ledge 91 to receive the end of an intermediate hinged extension |00 of the adjustable table of the bag closing mechanism (Fig. 2).

Since the disc 80 is vertically xed in height, but must rotate with the table 95, a connection is provided comprising a rod |05 xed in a boss |06 on the lower surface of the disc. The rod extends through a matching opening in the table 95 so that the table and disc rotate together. Rotation of hand wheel 81 lowers the table 95 without disengaging rod |05 from table 95 or ingskirt |08 fitting over an upwardly extending wall |09 xed to lugs ||0 on standard 30. The entire range of adjustment of the machine is such that the skirt |08 and wall |09 always substantiallyv protect the enclosed mechanism. To carry Iout the idea of enclosing all working parts, `a cup is preferably up-ended over the end of rod 85.

The -dryer plates 8| are preferably pivotally mounted on the ends of arms 2 pivotally fixed at ||3 to lugs on discI 80. 'I'he inner end of each varm is provided with a roller ||4 which engages the cam 18 at the proper portion of the cycle to raise the-plates whereby to permit the insertion of lled and closed bags. Each arm is provided with an adjustable pin |5 to whichis attached a spring ||6 by means of. which the 'pressure on the closure may be properly controlled. vThe opposite end of the spring is attached to a ledge I1 on the edge of disc 80. Each arm ||2 is fixed to its plate 8| by means of a pivot pin ||8.passng through the arm and a lug I9 on the plate. The arm is for that purpose square and hollow and is preferably provided with limiting extensions at each corner of the hollow square, the extensions being provided to limit the pivotal movement of vplate 8|. The pivotal movement is provided in order that the plates may adjust themselves to the tops of the bags and thus apply uniform pressure throughout the extent of the closure.

The Yclos'ure l forming mechanism dryer in substantial parallelism and operate the -closure forming mechanism which is supported in a, frame consisting of side plates |25 and |26 (Figs. 2, 3 and 6) bolted tothe side of support 30,

side plate |26 being to the rear of the machine shafts u, 4s and sa extend from one side of 'thecompletes an enclosure for the --shafts and to which is afllxeda single supporting leg |28. End bearings for shafts 42, 48 and 53 are provided in the various plates in order to forma rigid structure. Side plate |25 is provided with an opening defined by flanges |29 and |30 to which is attached a pedestal |3| supporting the adhesive applying mechanism. Side plate |26 is also provided with an opening defined by anges |32 and |33 to which are attached vertical plates |34 and |35, respectively, forming a support for the other working mechanisms. The upper ends of vertical plates |34 and |35 extend over the middle of the machine and are braced by cross rods |36, |31 and |38, which form fixed supports for the operating parts. An intermediate vertical plate |39 is supported by the cross rods and separates the two stations of the machine. A sheet metal hood |40 is fixed to the edges of vertical plates |34 and |35 substantially to enclose the Working-parts. v

The bags are fed through the machine in upright position with their bottoms resting upon a smooth table |45 which is supported by vertical screws |46 mounted in bearings |41 on the side plate |25. An arm |48 extending from a collar loosely positioned on each screw |46 provides a bearing support for a horizontal adjusting shaft |49 which is rotated through bevelled gears by a hand wheel |50. Bevelled gears on shaft |49 and screws |46 translate rotation of hand wheel |50 into vertical movement of table |45. The flanges of table |45 telescope over the upper extremities of side plate |25 in order that-a wide range of adjustment may be provided. An extension |55 of table |45 provides the initial support. upon which bags may be placed while the mouths are being collapsed and introduced into guides which retain the form of the bag during its entry into the machine.

Bag feeding mechanism A pair of angles |56 extend from vertical plate |34 with their vertical flanges defining a narrow` |56 squarlng and shaping the shoulders of the bag as it is moved into engagement therewith.

The bag is then engaged by the first of three paddles |58 which is swung against the rear surface of the bag and then moved forward the' length of one step to bring the bag in line with the first set of operating mechanisms. The means for-swinging and moving the paddles comprises the following: Rod |60 (Figs. 3 and 6) supports a bell crank having a short, substantially horizontal arm |6| provided with an elongated slot and a long, substantially vertical arm |62. A pitman l |63 adjustably fixed in the slot of arm |6| extends from an eccentric strap surrounding an eccentric |64 fixed to shaft 48. Rotation of eccentric |64 normally rocks the long arm |62 in the direction of movement of the bags through the machine, but the arms |6| and |62 are connected by a slip joint |65 whereby the arm |62 may remain stationary in case of a jam. The end of arm |62 carries a ball which ts a socket at one end of a connecting rod |10, the other end of the rod being provided with a socket connected to a ball carried by a bell crank |1| (Fig. 4). The bell crank |1| is pivotally connected to a vertical extension |12 of a slide |13 which is horizontally guided in a dovetail guide |14 fixed to the rear flange of table |45. A link 15 fixed to the free arm of bell crank |1| extends to a crank |16 pinned to a vertical rock shaft |11 (Fig. 3) mounted in a bearing |18 carried by slide |13. The upper end of rock shaft |11 extends-above the bearing |18 and an arm |19 integral with paddle |58 is pinned thereto. There are three such bearings |18 at evenly spaced intervals, the third bearing extending beyond the end of the slide and being supported by bracing bars |80. Each of the other two bearings supports a vertical shaft and paddle as described, the bearing of each arm |19 being provided with an extension |8| to each of which is pivotally attached a connecting rod |82. Each rotation of shaft 48 pulls connecting rod |10 a certain required distance and then pushes the 'rod back the same distance. the movements each requiring 180 of revolution of the shaft. However, bell crank |1| and link |15 form a toggle joint which must be straightened before slide |13 moves forward, and bent before the slide moves back. The straightening of the toggle rocks shaft |11 and, through the connecting rod |82, all of the paddles |58 are rocked substantially 90 to engage the rear surfaces of any bags in the machine. The feeding movement of the bags then takesplace and the paddles are then returned to initial position. Due to the delayed action provided by the toggle joint the operator has substantially three fourths of a cycle of rotation to place bags and the operating mechanisms are likewise permitted to operate through substantially three fourths of a cycle of rotation, whereby the capacity of the machine is increased by at leastz one forth of what it would be otherwise. The bag is fed by the first paddle into mechanism for trimming, creasing and initially folding the mouth, by the second paddle into mechanism for applying adhesive, finishing the folding and pressing the bag mouth, and by the third paddle into the drying mechanism. The pivoted extension provides a support for the bag regardless of the adjusted position of table |45 or dryer table 91.

'I'he angles |56 extend through the first operating station, being reduced in height and width in order to provide clearance. bag are restrained by spaced guides |85 adjustably mounted on posts |86 fixed to the table |45 whereby different sizes of bags may be accommodated and maintained in alignment. The upper` pair of guides |85 are positioned closely adjacent to the horizontalanges of angles |56 to assist in the formation of sharply defined shoulders on the bag. As the bag leaves the first station the initial fold is retained by mechanism which will be described and the angles are eliminated as being no longer necessary. After being nally folded and pressed in the second station. the bag is moved by the third paddle under a shoe |86 (Fig. 2) which retains the bag mouth in secured position until the bag is pushed into the drying mechanism.

At the proper instant with respect to the movement of paddles |50 an empty space on the dryer table is momentarily stopped adjacent the end of table |45. The dryer plate 8| above such space has been elevated by cam 18 and a cam |01l 'Figa 2 and 4) fixed to the vertical plate |35 has leveled the plate. The bag slides under the plate The sides of the which is adjustably spaced to engage and maintain the closure, and the dryer table is then rotated one step by ratchet 1|. Roller ||4 immediately rides off of the cam 18 and the spring ||6 causes the determined pressure to be applied tothe` closure while the adhesive sets. The bag is thus held under compression until removed from the dryer table by curved guides |88, fixed to vertical plate |35, which guide the bags onto a table or conveyor |89 (Fig. 4).

The. first operating station The first operating station is illustrated in detail in Figs. and 12, and the mechanism for operating the same is shown in Figs. 6, and 16. Other views may be referred to for correlation of parts.

The bag'mouth projects upward above the angles |56 which have been reduced in height to less than the distance between the top of the bag contents and the point at which the bag mouth is to be folded upon itself. 'Ihe distance from the line of folding to the edge of the bag is preferably slightly less than the lower portion. In order to form a tight closure the bag mouth is trimmed and creased at the same time by relatively fixed operating parts. The fixed shear blade 200 is mounted to extend across the space between intermediate vertical plate |39 and vertical plate |34 at the front of a throat or passageway for the mouth of the bag. The movable shear blade 20| is mounted upon a plate 201 and is guided by guiding Iblocks 203 fixed to the vertical plates. The fixed shear blade is urged into wiping contact with the movable shear blade by a spring fixed in bearing blocks 204 so that constant shearing contact is always maintained. Bearing blocks 205 are also provided to guide the movable shear blade. Shear blade 20| extends above and between blocks 203, and a creasing anvil 206 extends across the same space beneath the blocks. The plate 201 is mounted for sliding movement between guide blocks 203 and is provided with a depending bearing 208 carrying a pivot 209. The plate 201 is recessed at its edges at 2|0 to receive spaced extensions 2|| of a folding member 2|2 normally maintained in contact with the lower surface of shear blade20l. The extensions 2|| are xed to the upper ends of a yoke member 2|3 pivotally carried at the ends of the pivot 205. A spring 2|4 extends from the yoke member to the lower surface of plate 201. Since plate 201 is guided for xed horizontal movement the spring tends to keep the yoke member at right angles to the .plate and thereby holds the folding member 2|2 against the lower surface of the shear blade. A bolt 2|5 carried by a fixed extension 225 extends through an opening in yoke member 2|3 and carries adjustable lock nuts 2|,1 forming an abutment against which the yoke strikes toward the end of the forward movement of the plate. Continued movement of the plate 201 causes the yoke to rock against the tension of spring 2|4 and thereby causes the folding member 2|2 to drop downward into its position shown in full line in Fig. 10. The plate 201 is reciprocated through link 2|6 loosely attached to pivot 209,

Abell crank 2|1 pivotally mounted on cross bar |38 and pitman 2|8. Pitman 2|8 is fixed to a yoke 2| 9 guided by main shaft 48 and reciprocated in opposite directions by cams 220 and 22| against which bear cam followers 222 and 223, respectively (Figs. 6 and 15).

The creasing blade 230 which cooperates with creasing anvil 206 to form a crease parallel to the trimmed edge of the bag is carried by a swinging 2,175,557 arm 23| loosely carried by cross rod |36 andt'reciprocated by a link 232 pivotally connected to a pitman 233 and a toggle link 234 loosely mounted on a cross rod 235 extending from intermediate vertical plate |39 to vertical plate |34. Pitman 233 is connected to a yoke 236 slidably guided by shaft 48 and reciprocated by a cam 231 and cam follower 238 (Figs. 6 and- 16). i

'Ihe edges trimmed from the mouths of the bag are swept toward the rear of the machine by a brush 240 mounted on an arm 24| xed to a rock shaft 242 which is rocked by crank 243, link 244 and crank 245 (Fig. l0). Crank 245 is fixed to a rock shaft 246 which extends through intermediate vertical plate |39 'and carries a crank arm 241 (Fig. 2). The free end of crank arm 241 carries a pawl 248 which is engaged by a tooth 249 carried forward by a reciprocating slide in the second operating station. Due to the arrangei ment of the linkage described the brush 240 is caused to move toward the rear of the machine and sweeps the trimmings back over the top of blade 20| and plate 201 and onto a sheet metal hood 250 which forms a waste passage together with vertical plates |34, |35 and hood |40. Since the movement of the brush is limited, a spring plate 255 is caused to engage the 'trimming and assist to move them into the waste passage. The plate 255 is mounted upon an arm 256 pivoted to link 232 and which is urged against an abutment 251 by a spring 258. As link 232 is rocked downwardby pitman 233 the arm 256 slides along abutment 251 until the spring plate 255 engages the trimmings on top of the hood 250, the spring plate thereuponmoving toward the rear of the machine and urging the trimmings into the waste passage. Other types of trimming ejectors may of course b e substitutedfor the one illustrated and described.

During the retraction of the. folding member 2|2 the fold of the bag mouth is retained by a retaining blade mounted upon arm 23 The arm is provided with ears 25| slidably guiding'rods 252 which carry the retaining blade 253.- Springs 254 placed between ears 25| and the blade 253 tend to keep the blade extended, `beyond the point of creasing blade 230. As folding member 2|2 is4 pulled downward there is sumcient clearance for the fold to be formed, but at the instant that the edge of the bag passes below the retaining blade 253 arm 23| is pulled inward far enough so that the retaining blade will thereafter engage the fold and retain thesame as shown in Fig. l0. As the creasing blade continues to move forward springs 254 are compressed and the strength of springs 254 is such thatmovement of the bag is not prevented and the fold will not become disarranged. The folded. bag has moved beyond engagement with retaining blade 253 and the next bag has come into position at the instant that the creas- Q ing blade engages the creasing anvil 206.

The operation of the first station is as follows.: A. bag is introduced with its mouth extending up to the shear blades. Themovable shear blade then trims the edge and pushes the trimmed mouth slightly forward while the creaser blade and anvil cooperate to form a crease parallel. to the trimmed edge. Creaser blade 230 is then retracted while the folding member 2|2 folds thev mouth of the bag as illustrated in Fig. 10. As the shear blade and creasing anvil retract the-folding member is raised and moved back tgihitial position with the blade'and anvil. Atahut the same instant the bag is engaged byl tlifvsecond paddle |58 and commences t0 move forward into the second station. During the forward movement of the bag the fold is retained by retaining blade 253 and an auxiliary guide 260 mounted upon theange of the forward angle |56 (Fig. 5).

Gluing, final folding, and pressing station The mechanism for applying adhesive, folding the once-folded mouth of the bag down u pon the adhesive and pressing the closure into firm adherence is illustrated in Figs. 2, 3, 6, 9 and 11, and details of cams for driving the same are illustrated in Figs. 13 and 14. 1

Referring to Fig. 9 there is shown a folding and pressing member 265 mounted at the end of.

from a bell crank 216 mounted on cross rod |38.

A pitman 211 connected to the bell crank is guided by a` yoke 218 which is reciprocated by cam 219 on shaft 48 and cam follower 280 (Figs. 6 and 14).

Vertical movement of pitman 211 is translated int'o horizontal movement of member 265, the hardened insert 21| causing the member to fold the bag mouth upon the top of the bag before a rearmost portion of the member comes down to press against 'the closure. In order to exert uniform pressurey upon the folded closure there is provided a rocking socket 285 loosely mounted on cross rod |36, which socket loosely guides the free end of a rod 286 carried by a rocking support 281 pivotally mounted upon a bail 288 carried' by a bridge 289 extending across the forward extremities of larms 266. As the arms move forward a spring surrounding rod 286 is compressed and urges the member 265 against' the top of the bag as the insert 21| rides off of surfaces 212.

' 'I'he member 265 is provided with a channelshaped upper end 290 corresponding to the hooked lingers of a persons hand and slopes downwardly from the end somewhat after the fashion of the palm of a hand and thenl horizontally to correspond to the heel of a hand. The channelshaped portion 290 is preferably provided with a flaring mouth to insure guidance of the previously folded bag mouth into the channel. As the member 265 moves forward its action in folding and pressing the mouth of the bag against the shoul- `ciers of the bag is almost exactly the action of a persons hand performing the same function.

In order to apply adhesive to the shoulder of the bag upon which the mouth is to be folded and lto form a sharply defined closure the following mechanism is employed: Referring-to Figs. 2 and 3 there is disclosed an ladhesive pot 295 mounted upon standard |3|. The pot is preferablymounted above a water tank 296 provided with heating elements in order that thermoplastic adhesives may be used. Mounted to rotate in. the adhesive is a fountain roll 291 driven by a sprocket 298, chain 299 and sprocket 300 on a cross shaft 30|. Cross shaft 30| is rotated by a sprocket 302, chain 303 and sprocket 304 on shaft 42. A glue blade 3|0 mounted on a pivoted bail 3| (Fig. 9) is carried at the ends of spaced levers 3|2. The glue blade is resilient and extends angularly forward and downward so as: to exert a yielding wiping pressure against theshoulder ofthe bag as it apsupplied to its under surface by the fountain roll 291. The glue blade is held in proper position by a universally pivoted link 3 I3 extending substantially parallel to levers 3|2 and connected to the bail 3|| and to one end of a bell crank 3|4 provided with a cam -follower 3|5 held against the surface of a cam 3|6 mounted on cross shaft 30| by a spring 3 1. 'As levers 3 I2 rock backward and forward the link 3|3 causes the glue blade 3|0 to follow an arcuate path from its full-line position to its dotted-line position shown in Fig. 3. The cam 3|6 is so designed as to maintain the glue blade slightly above the surface of the shoulder l of the bag as the glue blade moves inward, and

then to come sharply down against the shoulder of the bag as the glue blade starts to move outward. At the same instant member 265 commences to fold the mouth of the bag and a regular closure is thus assured.

A tucking blade 320 (Fig. 9) carried by resilient fingers mounted on bar 3| I extends forward above the glue blade and engages the folded edge of the bag as the glue blade moves inward to insure tucking of the mouth' of the bag into the fold. The member 265 is provided with fins 29| which not only depress the tucking blade to insure a tight fold but prevent the blade from snapping upward when released, thereby protecting the resilient ngers. The fins 29| also may guide the mouth of the bag into the channel 290 if the bag is improperly positioned.

Levers 3|2 are rocked by a pitman 322 connected to a yoke 323 slidably guided by shaft 48 and provided with a cam follower 324 bearing against the operating cam 325 mounted on shaft 43 (Figs. 3, 6 and 13). As the member 265 comes forward to fold the mouth upon the adhesive the glue blade and member 328 are retracted. When the fold is completed member 265 rides forward on top of the fold and presses the closure into rm adherence. During this latter motion the third paddle |58 swings forward to engage the bag, and during the retraction of member 265 the paddle moves the bag beneath shoe |86 (Fig. 2), from beneath which it is pushed into the dryer mechanism by the succeeding bag.

Referring to Figs. 7 and 8 there is disclosed a `modified type of glue applying mechanism which In this modihas been found to be of advantage. fled type the structure is substantially the same except that in place of the fixed member 320 there is provided a resilient tucln'ng blade 333 which is pivotally and adjustably mounted upon blocks 33 l loosely carried by the rod 332 joining the ends of levers 3 I 2. A cross bar 333 extending beneath and between the blocks 33| is attached to one end of a spring 3312 extending to a pin 335 fastened to and extending upward through the bar 3| I and through a slot 336 in the tucking blade 33B. The pin 335 carries adjustable lock nuts 331 againstl which the tucking blade 333 is normally urged by spring 33d. As the glue blade and tucking blade move forward they are in substantially the positions shown in dotted outline in Fig. 8, thus insuring engagement of the upper fold by the tucking blade. As link 3|Y3 is moved downward by cam 3|6. the rod 332 is rocked thereby easing the upr ward pressure on tucking blade 335 and facilitat ing its movement onto the top of the glue blade 3 I 0 as member 265 comes forward. The glue blade 3|!! is preferably provided with a series of small ridges 34|) which function to apply cross bars of adhesive tending to trap any material sifting through the mouth of the ba'g and which also prevent the glue blade from wiping the adhesive from the top of the bag.

In order to stop the closing mechanism without .affecting the dryer, a clutch 35|) on shaft 48 can be locked to keep pin 352 from engaging dog Rsum Referring to Figs. 17 to 23 inclusive, there is diagrammatically indicated the operation of the,

machine. In Fig. 17 a bag is shown as positioned by the operator between guides with its mouth collapsed and extending upward between angles |56. Fig. 18 shows the bag at the instant of its arrival at the first station. Fig. 19 shows the bag after its edge has been trimmed and a crease formed parallel to the trimmed'edge. Fig. 20 'shows the folding member 2|2 in the act of forming the rst fold, and showing the relative position of the glue blade 3|() and tucking blade 330 which are located at the next station. Fig. 21 shows the bag as it arrives beneath the member 265 with the glue blade and tucking blade moving inwardly. Fig. 22 shows the glue blade and tucking blade at the instant of their being depressed 3 by link 3|3, and Fig. 23 shows the final pressing position of member 265 and the relative position of the glue blade and tucking blade just prior to the last movement of the bag from the closure nforming mechanism. The bag is then positioned beneath a plate on the dryer and after the adhesive has set, is removed from the dryer onto auxiliary table |89 by guides |85.

The present disclosure illustrates and describes the preferred embodiment of the invention. Modifications in arrangement and details of parts will occur to those skilled in the art, and allsuch modications are considered to be a part of the present invention as limited and defined by the appended claims.

It is claimed: i

1. The method of forming the collapsed upwardly extending mouth of a lled bag intoa closure comprising: doubling the mouth of the bag upon itself, restraining the base of the mouth against movement, folding the mouth along its base, applying adhesive to the bag adjacent said base, and applying pressure progressively across the top of the bag in the direction of the fold to press the doubled, folded mouth, the adhesive and the top of the bag together while spreading said adhesive progressively in advance of contact between the doubled folded mouth and the top of the bag.

2. The method of forming a filled bag closure comprising,l doubling the mouth of the bag upon itself, placing adhesive on a portion of the bag in the angle between the top of the enclosed contents and the doubled mouth at the side toward which the mouth is doubled, applying pressure to the area of the bag top within said angle, folding the doubled mouthv of the bag toward said portion while continuing to press on the top as aforesaid in order to form a sharply defined closure squared with the bag, and applying pressure progressively 75 angle, and conning'the closure while the adacross the top of the bag and the closure while withdrawing pressure progressively across the bag vfrom within said angle.

3. The method of forming a filled bag closure comprising, forming a crease parallel to the edge upon which the bag mouth may be doubled, doubling themouth of the bag upon itself, placing adhesive on a portion of the bag in the angle between the top of the enclosed contents and the Vthe top of the bag and the closure while withdrawing pressure progressively across the bag from Awithin said angle;

4. 'Ijhe method of forming a filled bag closure comprising, trimming the edge of the bag mouth and forming a crease parallel-to the trimmed edge upon which the bag mouth may be doubled, doubling the mouth of the bag upon itself, placing adhesive on a portion of the bag in the angle between the top of the enclosed contents and the doubled mouth at the side toward which the mouth is doubled, applying pressure to the top of the bag within said angle, folding the doubled mouth of the bag toward said portion while continuing to press on the top as aforesaid in order to form a sharply defined closure squared with the bag, and applying pressure progressively across the top of the bag and the closure while withdrawing pressure progressively across the bag from within said angle.

5. The method of forming a filled bag closure comprising, collapsing the mouth of the bag upon itself to bring the bag mouth into a single plane extending upward' above the contents of the bag, trimming the edge of the bag vmouth and forming a crease parallel tothe trimmed edge upon which the bag mouth maybe doubled, doubling the mouth of the bag upon itself, placing adhesive on a portion of the bag in the anglebetween the top of the enclosed contents and the doubled mouth at the side' toward which the mouth is doubled, applying pressure to the top of the bag within said angle, folding the doubled mouth of the bag toward said portion while continuing to press on the top as aforesaid in order to form a sharply definedy closure squared with the bag, and applying pressure progressively across the top of the bag and the closure while withdrawing pressure progresv sively across the' bag from within said angle.

6. The method' of forming a filled bag closure comprising, collapsing the mouth of the bag upon itself to bring the bag mouth into a single plane extending upward yabove the contents of the bag,

`press on the top as aforesaid in order to form a -sharply defined closure squared with the bag, ap-

Flying pressure progressively across the top of the bag and the closure while withdrawing pressure progressively across the bag from within said hesive sets.

7. An operating station of a filled bag closing machine comprising a controlling blade movable to and from a position adjacent the collapsed mouth of the bag and a foldingmember movable A'transversely of said collapsed mouth to initiate a fold in the same along said controlling blade and being yieldingly biased toward the bag body so as to yeldingly press and smooth said col- Vlapsed' and folded mouth upon the top of the bag.

8. In a final folding station of a filled bag` closing machine, a folding member comprising means to initiate a iinal fold and a pressing plate, means operable to move said folding member to initiatea fold and to position said pressing plate over the folded end of. the bag, means to yieldingly press said plate upon the top ofthe bag, the operation of said moving means and said yielding means overlapping whereby said plate smooths andpresses the folded end of the bag upon the top thereof.

9. A machine for closing the mouths of filled bags having the side walls of their open ends tucked inwardly and the front and rear Vwalls collapsed upon the tucked side walls comprising a creasing device adaptedv to form a crease in the collapsed end of a bag a certain distance above the enclosed contents, means movable transversely of the creased end of the bag to fold the end of the bag once upon itself along said crease, means to apply adhesive to a portion of the bag and means including a member movable to exert yielding and sliding pressure upon the folded end of the bag to press the same upon the adhesivebearing portion and to drawA the bag taut.

10. In a filled bag closing machine, a member adapted to operate upon a bag having its open mouth collapsed and doubled upon itself, said member comprising a channel adapted to guide and retain said doubled mouth in doubled condition, and pressing means adjacent said channel;

means yieldngly urging said pressing means toward the top of a bag and means restraining said yielding means; means to move a bag to said member; means to guide the doubled' mouth of the bag into said channel; and means to move said member across lthe bag to cause a wall lof said channel to fold said doubled mouth toward the too of the bag, to release said yielding means from said restraining means, and to slide said yieldingly urgedv pressing means across the top and folded mouth of the bag. Y

ll. An operating station of a filled bag closing machine comprising means to retain lthe bag in upright position with the mouth of the bag extending upward therefrom, a first blade mounted at one side of the bag mouth, a slide carrying al second blade at the other side of the bag mouth, means to reciprocate said slide whereby to cause said blades to trim the ed'ge of the bag mouth, a creasing member mounted beneath said second blade, a second creasing member movably mounted beneath said first blade, means to re` ciprocate said second creasing member whereby to cause said creasing members to form a crease inthe bag mouth parallel to 'the trimmed edgesecond blade at the other side of the bag mouth, means to reciprocate said slide whereby to cause said blades to trim the edge of the bag mouth, a creasing member mounted beneath said second blade, a second' creasing member movably mounted beneath said first blade, means to reciprocate said second creasing member whereby to cause said creasing members to form a crease in the bag mouth parallel to the trimmed edge substantially at the instant of shearing, means to double the bag mouth along said crease, and means to retain the bag mouth in doubled form While the bagmoves to the next station of the machine.

13. An operating station of a iilled bag closing machine comprising means to retain the bag in upright position with the mouth of the bag extending upward thererom, a first blade mounted' at one side of the bag mouth, a slide carrying a second blade at the other side of the bag mouth, means to reciprocate said slide whereby to cause said blades to trim the edge of the bag mouth, a creasing member mounted beneath said second blade, a second creasing member movably mounted beneath said first blade, means to reciprocate said second creasing member whereby to cause said creasing members to form a crease inthe bag mouth parallel to the trimmed edge substantially at the instant of shearing, and

lmeans carried by -said slide to double the bag mouth along said crease.

14. An operating station of a `filled bag closing machine comprising means to retain the bag in upright position with the mouth of the bag extending upward therefrom, a first bla/de mounted at one side of the bag mouth, a slide carrying a second blade at vthe other side of the bag mouth, means to reciprocate said slide whereby to cause said blades to trim the edge of the bag mouth, a creasing member mounted beneath said second blade, a second creasing member movably mounted beneath said rst blade, means to re' ciprocate said second creasing member whereby to cause said creasing members to form a. crease in the bag mouth parallel to the trimmed edge substantiallyat the instant of shearing, means carried by said slide to vdouble the bag mouth along said crease, and means to retain the bag mouth in doubled form while the bag moves to the next station of the machine;

l5. An operating'station of a filled bag closing machine comprising a slide, means to reciprocate said slide into operative position with respect to the mouth of a nlled bag, a blade mounted on said slide for trimming the edge of the bag mouth, a creasing member mounted adjacent said slide for forming a crease parallel to the trimmed edge, a folding member mounted on said slide, and means to cause said folding member to double the mouth of the bag along said crease immediately after operation of said blade and creasing member. l

16. An operating station of a filled bag closing machine comprising a slide mounted at one side of said station, means to reciprocate said slide across said station into operative position with respect to the mouth of a filled bag, a blade mounted on said slide and at the opposite side of said station for trimming the edge of the bag mouth, a creasing member mounted adjacent said slide and a cooperating creasing member at the opposite side of said station for forming a crease parallel to the trimmed edge, a folding member mounted on said slide and normally extending into the lspace a cooperating blade' between the blade and the creasing member carried thereby, means to retain said folding member in normal position, and means to cause said folding member to move downwardly immediately after operation of said blades and creasing members whereby to double the trimmed mouth of the bag along said crease.

17. An operating station of a bag closing machine for operating upon a lled bag, the mouth or which has been doubled upon itself, comprising an adhesive-applying blade, means to cause said blade to apply adhesive' to a portion of the bag in the angle between the top of the enclosed contents and the double mouth at the side toward which the mouth is doubled, means to press said blade upon the enclosed contents within said angle, a folding member, means to reciprocate 'said member across the top of the bag to fold the doubled mouth toward the adhesive-bearing portion, and means associated with said lfolding member to apply pressure to the top of the bag across the bag while progressively withdrawing said adhesive-applying blade progressively across the bag.

y 18. An operating station `of a bag closing machine for operating upon a filled bag, having an upstanding mouth which has been doubled upon itself, comprising a blade at the side of said station toward which the mouth has been doubled, means to cause said blade to press the apex of the angle between thetop of the enclosed contents and the upstanding mouth whereby to denne a fold line, a. folding member and means to move said member across the top of the bag to bend the upstanding mouth along said defined fold line and toward said blade, Asaid member being yieldably biased toward said bag whereby to exert yielding pressure against'said bag top.

19. An operating station of a bag closing machine for operating upon a lled bag, the mouth of which has been doubled upon itself, compris ing a blade at the side of said station toward which the mouth has been folded, means to cause said blade to approach the apex of the angle between the top of the enclosed contents and the doubled mouth whereby to form a sharply defined angle, a folding member at the opposite side of said station, means to reciprocate same member across the top of the bag to fold the doubled mouth toward said blade, and means associated with said folding member to apply pressure to the top of the bag progressively across the bag toward said blade while withdrawing said blade progressively across the bag.

20. An operating station of a bag closing machine for operating upon a filled bag, the mouth of which has been doubled upon itself, comprising a blade at the side of said station toward which the mouth has been folded, means to 'cause said blade to approach the apex of the angle between the top of the enclosed contents v and the doubled mouth, means to draw said blade down upon `the top of the enclosed contents within said angle to apply pressure thereto `and to form a sharply defined angle, a folding member at the opposite side of said station, means` the bag 40 stations comprising means chine for operatingupon a filled bag, the mouth of which has been doubled upon itself, comprising a source of adhesive, a blade at the side of said station toward which the mouth has been folded, means to cause said blade to transfer adhesive from said source to a portion of the bag in the angle between the top of the enclosed contents and the doubled mouth, means to press said blade upon the part of the bag above the enclosed contents within said angle, a folding member at the .opposite side of said station, means to reciprocate said member across the top of the bag to fold the doubled mouth toward saidV blade, and means associated with saidfolding l member to apply pressure to the top of the bag progressively across the bag toward said blade while withdrawing said blade progressively across the bag.

22. A filled bag closing machine comprising two operating stations, and means to feed a filled bag through said stations, the first of said stations comprising means to double the bag mouth upon itself, and the second of said stations comprising means to apply adhesive to a portion of in the angle between the top of the enclosed contents and the doubled mouth at the side toward which the mouth is doubled, means to apply pressure to the Aportion f the bag within said angle above the contents, means N to fold the doubled mouth toward the adhesiveapplying means and' means to apply pressure progressively across the top of the bag in thedirection toward which the mouth is folded while withdrawing the pressure-applying means from y within said angle in substantially one continuous operation.

23. A filled bag closing machine comprising two operating stations, and means tol feed a filled bag through said stations, the first of said to trim the edge of the bag mouth, means to clear trimmings from the machine, means to form a crease' in the bag vmouth parallel to the trimmed edge and means to double the bag mouth along said crease substantially in one continuous operation, and the second of said stations comprising means to apply adhes between the top ofthe enclosed contents and the doubled mouth at the side toward which the l0 mouth is doubled, means to apply pressure to the portion of the bag within said angle above the contents, means to fold the doubled mouth toward the adhesive-applying means and means to apply pressure progressively across the top of the y 5l bag in the direction toward which the mouth is folded while withdrawing the pressure-applying means from within said angle in substantiallyone continuous operation.

24. The method of closing a lled bag com- 0 prising collapsing the unfllled upwardly extending mouth portion thereof into a plane substantially normal to the plane of the top of the enclosed contents, restraining said collapsed mouth against movement along the line defined by the el intersection of saidv mouth and the plane of the contents, applying adhesive to the bag, folding said mouth along said line of intersection and applying pressure to press the mouth, the adhesive and the top of the bag together while releasing the restraint of the mouth.

25. The method of closing a filled bag having the side walls of its open mouth tucked inwardly and the front and rear walls collapsed thereupon into a plane substantially normal to the plane or the enclosed contents, comprising restraining ive to a portion of the bag in the anglesaid collapsed mouth alonga line forming the apex of the angle between said collapsed mouth Y and the top of the contents of the bag, applying together while releasing the restraint along said line.

26. The method of closing a filled bag comprising collapsing the unfilled, upwardly extending mouth portion thereof into a plane substantially normal to the plane of the top of the enclosed contents; applying pressure along the line defined by the intersection of said mouth and the plane of the contents to define a fold line, applying adhesive to the portion of the bag overlying the plane of the top of the enclosed contents, folding said mouth along said defined fold line -into contact with the adhesive and the portion of the bag overlying the plane of the enclosed contents.- j

27. The method of closing a filled bag comprising collapsing the unfilled, upwardly extending mouth portion thereof into a plane substantially normal to the plane of the top of the enclosed contents; restraining said collapsed mouth against movement along the line defined by the intersection of said mouth and the plane of the contents and simultaneously exerting a downward pressure over the bag top between the line of restraint and one wall of the bag; 4bringing said collapsed mouth towardl the plane of the contents by folding the material of the bag substantially along the line' of such restraint; removing said restraint while progressively relieving said pressure across the top of said bag from said line of restraint towards said wall of the bag; and pressing said folded mouth into contact with the top of said bag.

28. A machine for closing a filled bag having the side walls of its open mouth tucked inwardly and the front and rear walls collapsed thereupon into a plane substantially normal to the plane of the enclosed contents, comprising a blade, means to move said blade into contact with said bag along Aa line forming the apex of the angle between said collapsed mouth and the top of the contents of the bag, said blade serving to restrain said collapsed mouth against movement in one direction, a folding member and means to yieldingly press said folded mouth against the top of said bag.

29. A machine forl closing a filled bag having the side walls of its open mouth tucked inwardly and the front and rear walls collapsed thereupon into a plane substantially normal to the plane of the enclosedcontents, comprising an adhesiveapplying blade, means to move an edge of said blade into contact with said bag along a line forming the apex of the angle between said collapsed mouth and the top of the contents of the bag, said blade serving to restrain said collapsed mouth against movement in one direction, a folding member and means to move the same across said bag into contact with said collapsed-mouth to move said blade across the top of said bag and away from said 'collapsed mouth 4whereby to deposit adhesive upon the top of the bag, and

means to cause said folding member to press said folded mouth. said adhesive and the top of the bag together.

30. The method of closing a filled bag comprising collapsing the unfilled upwardly extending mouth portion thereof into a plane substanhtlally normal to the plane of the top of the enclosed contents, folding said collapsed upwardly extending mouth portion upon itself along a line parallel to said planeof the top of the contents to bring a free edge of said folded portion adjacent to said plane of the top of the contents, thenlapplying 'pressure to said bag along 4a line defined by the intersection of the upstanding portion of said mouth and the plane of the contents to define a fold line, restraining said free end of said folded portion of the mouth against t unfolding, folding the entire upstanding portion of said mouth 4along said defined fold line and pressing the mouth against the top of the bag while releasing said free end from restraint.

31. 'I'he method of closing a filled bag comprising collapsing the unlled upwardly extending mouth portion thereof into a plane substantially normal to the plane of the top of the enclosed contents. applying pressure along the intersection of said mouth and the bag material overlying the plane of the contents-to denne a fold line, applying adhesive to a portion of the bag on one side oi said fold line, folding said mouth along said fold line so as to bring into contact the portion of the bag carrying said adhesive and a portion of the bag on the other side of said fold line.

32. The method of closing a filled bag comprising collapsing the unfilled upwardly extendin'g mouth portion thereof into a plane substantially normal to the plane of the top of the enclosed contents. applying pressure directly along the intersection of said mouth and the bag material overlying the plane of the contents to deline a fold line, then applying pressure to thev collapsed mouth portion to fold said collapsed mouth portion along said line and into said plane of the contents. .t

LUTA L. CUNDALL, Adminstratri of the Estate of Robert N. Cun- .da1l, Deceased. 

